After the Martin Franzman hymn, "Thy Strong Word", Dr. Zeile discusses the message from God given in Isaiah 58 about fasting, a message very suited to Lent, the Christian fast season. In addition to some historical context and perspective, the sermon focuses on what makes any work acceptable to God, the right or saving relationship with Him offered through Christ who fasted for us. The Offertory (Psalm 51) and General Prayer follows with the celebration of Holy Communion (at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Toledo, OH).

Send a text

After the classic 17th century hymn, "Thee Will I Love," Dr. Zeile discusses the invitation received by the wealthy young ruler in Mark 10 who balked at forsaking his wealth to follow Jesus. In principle, we have received the same invitation and must be ready to let all our temporal blessings go when God requires, as sooner or later we must. In the meantime we are to use our gifts in God's service, which we can only do by faith, the gift God gives. the General Prayer follows the message and another classic hymn, "Draw Us to Thee."

Send a text

After a responsory, collect, and Psalm 30, Romans 10 is read by an elder, and the hymn, "O Christ who Called the Twelve", is sung. Then Dr. Zeile speaks on Mark 1:14-20, the urgency of Christ's message regarding the Kingdom (rule) of God, which comes to us now but will not always be open to us.

Send a text

Boredom, like anger, is an experience, not a sin, but it can set us up for temptation. Dr. Zeile's message based on Israel's experience in the wilderness alerts us to the folly that awaits those who cannot "wait upon the Lord." After Psalm 146, Luther's hymn on the Lord's Prayer is sung ("Our Father Thou in Heaven Above"), then the sermon; afterward the Nicene Creed is confessed, followed by the Kyrie and prayers. Finally, the canticle, "Christ has been Raised" concludes the program.

Send a text

One of the painful experiences of the 21st Century is REJECTION by those who know us best. It is sobering to reflect on the fact that Jesus Christ shared this painful experience, alienation from those He loved. This sermon is accompanied by readings of Nehemiah 8 and 1 Corinthians 12, Psalm 19, and the hymn "O Christ our True and Only Light." Confession & Absolution, the Kyrie, Gloria and collect prayer precede the message.

Send a text

This meditation for Transfiguration Sunday is accompanied by Psalm 121, a General Prayer (prayer for blessing in general, for all in general, as opposed to particular requests for particular persons), and Transfiguration hymns, "Jesus on the Mountain Peak," and the western-sounding "Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory."

Send a text

Abram was given a new name, Abraham, because he found a new identity as a father of many nations (peoples). Dr. Zeile's meditation on this promise shows how it is fulfilled in our day (3 billion people today look to him as a Father), and that through the baptism commanded by Christ we, too, are given a new identity as children of God, heirs of the Promise first given to Abraham. Psalm 103 accompanies this message, as well as the celebration of Holy Communion, and the classic Lutheran hymn, "Baptized into Your Name Most Holy."

Send a text

We often regard rules negatively as restricting our freedom; yet God's Law enables us to accomplish things we could not achieve before, just as rules make activities from chess to driving possible. Dr. Zeile's meditation brings out God intended blessing to us through His rules, and His remedy for those of us who have failed to keep them.

Send a text